NEW YORK, N.Y. -
Villanova senior John LoCascio (Fairfield, N.J.) has been named the 2014 BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while classmates Christopher Conroy (Chatham, N.J.) and Chris Piccirilli (Davidsonville, Md.) have been selected to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team, as announced by the conference office Wednesday afternoon. Additionally, the Wildcats were chosen to finish third in the league and garnered 25 overall points while Denver and St. John's rounded out the top two slots in the BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll.

Kieran McArdle of St. John's was selected as the BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season while LoCascio garnered the major defensive award. Both honorees were unanimous picks for the preseason major awards and All-BIG EAST Preseason Team prior to the start of the 2014 season.

LoCascio earns his second preseason honor after being named a Third Team All-America selection to cap an outstanding junior season. He was chosen as the 2013 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, was an unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team and also earned a spot on the 2013 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team. As a junior, LoCascio ranked first in the NCAA averaging 3.79 caused turnovers per game and also registered two goals and six assists for eight points as a dominate force in the Villanova backfield last season. Through his three seasons as a Wildcat, LoCascio has collected 164 ground balls and caused 87 career turnovers and currently ranks 2nd all-time at Villanova averaging 1.93 caused turnovers per game.

Conroy and Piccirilli both earn their first preseason accolades with today's announcement. Conroy was a 2013 First Team All-BIG EAST selection a year ago and was also named a 2014 Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference honoree. Piccirilli garners his first BIG EAST honor after appearing in 42 games and making 15 starts throughout his three years on the squad.

The Villanova defensive trio returns to anchor the Wildcat defense as the team preps for their opening contest in just a few short weeks. The Wildcats open the 2014 season on Saturday, February 15th against Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa.. Game time is slated for 3 p.m.

The seven men's lacrosse members of the BIG EAST participate in a six-game, single round-robin format, playing each opponent once each year. The 2014 season will mark the third for the BIG EAST Championship and will be held May 1 and 3 at Villanova University. The top four teams in the conference standings, determined and seeded by winning percentage in conference play at the conclusion of the regular season, will advance to compete in the postseason.

Preseason Offensive Player of the YearKieran McArdle, St. John's, Sr., A*

Preseason Defensive Player of the YearJohn LoCascio, Villanova, Sr., LSM*

GameTracker | All-Access | TwitterVillanova (0-1) returns to Villanova Stadium on Saturday, February 21st to host No. 17/18 Penn State (1-1) for their second consecutive home contest. Game time vs. the Nittany Lions is slated for 1 p.m.